Architectural Conservation Specialist

Placements24; East London; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical aid

Retirement fund

Generous annual leave

Hybrid work model

Professional development opportunities

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking an experienced Architectural Conservation Specialist to join the team in East London. The role focuses on assessing historic buildings, developing conservation strategies, and guiding restoration and adaptive reuse projects for diverse clients, including private owners and government bodies.

You should have a Master’s in architectural conservation with at least six years’ heritage experience, strong history knowledge, site assessment ability, and proficiency in AutoCAD

Qualifications

• Master’s degree or equivalent in architectural conservation or related field.
• Minimum of 6 years’ experience in architectural conservation or heritage management.
• Proven ability to assess and design for heritage buildings.
• Strong knowledge of architectural history and conservation philosophy.
• Familiarity with traditional building materials and techniques.

Responsibilities

• Conduct detailed condition assessments and historical research on heritage buildings.
• Develop conservation management plans and strategies for historical structures.
• Prepare drawings and specifications for restoration and adaptive reuse.
• Advise on appropriate materials, techniques and technologies for conservation work.
• Ensure compliance with heritage legislation and guidelines (NHBRSA, NHRA).
• Liaise with authorities, clients and contractors through project lifecycle.
• Oversee on-site conservation works ensuring quality and adherence to principles.
• Prepare heritage impact assessments and statements.
• Contribute to documentation and interpretation of heritage assets.
• Stay updated on conservation theory and practice.

Skills

Architectural conservation

Heritage management

Site inspections

Report writing

Project management

Communication skills

Education

Master's degree in Architectural Conservation / Historic Preservation

Tools

AutoCAD

Revit

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a heritage consultancy firm with a strong reputation for preserving and revitalizing historical structures, is seeking an experienced Architectural Conservation Specialist to join their team in East London . This role involves assessing historical buildings, developing conservation strategies, and guiding restoration and adaptive reuse projects. You will work with a range of clients, including private owners, government bodies, and developers, to ensure the sensitive and appropriate conservation of built heritage. The ideal candidate possesses a deep understanding of architectural history, conservation principles, materials science, and relevant legislation. This hybrid role combines office-based work with site assessments and project management.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct detailed condition assessments and historical research on heritage buildings.
• Develop conservation management plans and strategies for historical structures.
• Prepare architectural drawings and specifications for heritage restoration and adaptive reuse projects.
• Advise on appropriate materials, techniques, and technologies for conservation work.
• Ensure compliance with heritage legislation and guidelines (e.g., NHBRSA, National Heritage Resources Act).
• Liaise with heritage authorities, clients, and contractors throughout the project lifecycle.
• Oversee conservation works on-site to ensure quality and adherence to conservation principles.
• Prepare heritage impact assessments and statements.
• Contribute to the documentation and interpretation of significant built heritage assets.
• Stay abreast of advancements in architectural conservation theory and practice.

Requirements

• Master's degree in Architectural Conservation, Historic Preservation, Architecture with a specialization in conservation, or a related field.
• Minimum of 6 years of experience in architectural conservation or heritage management.
• Proven experience in assessing and designing for heritage buildings.
• Strong knowledge of architectural history, building typologies, and conservation philosophy.
• Familiarity with traditional building materials and techniques, and their repair.
• Proficiency in architectural drawing and documentation software (e.g., AutoCAD, Revit).
• Understanding of heritage legislation and statutory processes in South Africa.
• Excellent research, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Strong report writing and communication skills.
• Ability to conduct site inspections and manage projects in a hybrid work environment.

Benefits

• Competitive salary package reflecting expertise in architectural conservation.
• Opportunity to work on significant heritage projects in the Eastern Cape and beyond, based out of East London .
• Hybrid work model for a balanced professional life.
• Professional development opportunities and contribution to heritage preservation.
• Collaborative work environment with specialists in heritage consulting.
• Comprehensive benefits package, including medical aid and retirement fund.
• Generous annual leave allowance.